NZ Kiwis won't be in action again for just under a year, despite coach Michael Maguire's calls for more mid-season test matches.
Their World Cup campaign ended in semi-final heartbreak against the Kangaroos and they'll have to wait some time yet for revenge.
A change in State of Origin scheduling means there's no window for internationals next season, with all three clashes played on a Wednesday, as opposed to 2022, when Game II was played on a Sunday.
"There's no clear window for a test match in June," NZ Rugby League chief executive Greg Peters explained.
"While that's disappointing on one front, because it's a long time between drinks, it is a short camp to lead into that test match.
"Shifting that to the back end of next year is good, we'll have a 4-5 week contiguous block that we can work with a group of players and play some exciting test matches fans want to see.
"We would much rather have more international football than less and we would much rather have less of a time period when we can play. As I said, a year is a long time between drinks."
While Australian and some Pacifika players will get exposure at a higher Origin level, the Kiwis miss out completely. Peters admits that's a disadvantage for NZ players.
"I think it is an advantage to play Origin, rather than just club footy," he said. "The more often you put players into that environment and to those challenges, the better they become.
"So that is an advantage with Australian and some Pacifika players who are dual eligible. I've been on record before saying we should be included in Origin."
Kiwis coach Michael Maguire has called for mid-year tests between his side and Pasifika nations after their disappointing World Cup exit to Australia.
"I know Australia has got State of Origin, but I really would like to see the Kiwi boys, and whether it's the Tongan boys or Samoan boys play mid-year- it's only fair."
But he won't get it.
NZ Rugby League has outlined plans for test matches at the end of the year, including what they regard as their "non-negotiable".
Peters reveals plans are in place for a bumper international window at the end of the season, including tests against Pacifika nations and two against the Kangaroos.
He's calling for at least one game against Australia to be set in concrete every year.
"It's non-negotiable and it has been historically, it's just COVID has intervened for the last three seasons now," Peters said. " Every year, we want to be playing Australia and preferably home and away."
For now, Maguire's off contract, with discussions on a new deal due in coming weeks. A decision on what that looks like is hoped to be announced in the new year.
"We'll sit down and take some time to debrief this campaign, and also the last four years that he's been in the role," Peters said.
"We've got confidence in Madge. We just want to have that conversation, take the time to debrief, speak to the playing group, coaching group and look at all high-performance elements, and take some time to work out with [him] what the next steps are."
Peters believes the popular coach wants to stay on.
"Knowing how passionate he is about the Kiwis, I'd say that's a foregone conclusion."
